Drowsy Driving Contributes to More Than 6,000 Deaths Each Year: GHSA

Experts say preventing fatigue on the road starts with proper sleep habits, minimizing screen exposure before bedtime and avoiding stimulants or alcohol late at night.

A new study highlights the serious risks associated with driving while tired, indicating that it may be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, suggesting that there may be more than 10 times the number of drowsy driving deaths each year than are federally recorded.

The report was published by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) last month, showing that more than 6,300 people may have died in suspected drowsy driving crashes in 2023, compared to only 633 recorded in the federal database.

Prior research has found that individuals who sleep fewer than seven hours in a 24 hour period face a significantly higher risk of being involved in a crash, with the danger increasing further as sleep duration continues to decline.

Despite these well established risks, surveys indicate that nearly half of all Americans report driving while drowsy at some point. Federal safety officials warn that fatigue can slow reaction times, impair judgment and reduce attention in ways similar to driving while under the influence, contributing to thousands of crashes and deaths each year.

In the new report, GHSA, alongside General Motors (GM), analyzed multiple data sources, including the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the Crash Investigation Sampling System. The analysis concluded that an estimated 17.6% of all fatal crashes between 2017 and 2021 involved a drowsy driver.

Using that percentage, researchers estimate that approximately 6,326 deaths in 2023 may have involved a drowsy driver. GHSA indicates this likely represents the best available estimate of the true prevalence of fatal drowsy driving crashes.

Researchers also estimate that about 1.57% of baseline driving at any given time is drowsy, meaning roughly three out of every 200 drivers on the road may be operating a vehicle while fatigued.

Prior research cited in the report found that staying awake for 17 to 19 hours can impair driving performance at levels comparable to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05, further underscoring the similarity between fatigue and alcohol-related impairment.

Drowsy Driving Concerns

Certain groups appear to face elevated risk. The report notes that drivers ages 16 to 24 report higher rates of drowsy driving than older adults, and males are more likely than females to drive while fatigued. Studies also show high rates among college students, long-haul truck drivers and night-shift nurses.

Parents may also be particularly vulnerable. According to recent survey findings, 70% of parents with children under age 17 report having driven while drowsy at some point.

As a result of these findings, the report calls for:

• Later school start times to reduce teen crash risk
• Employer scheduling policies that prioritize adequate rest
• Expanded rest area infrastructure to allow fatigued drivers to stop safely
• Increased use of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including driver monitoring technology that detects signs of fatigue

Vehicle systems that monitor eye movements, blinking patterns and lane positioning may provide alerts when drivers show signs of drowsiness. However, the report cautions that no technology can replace the driver’s responsibility to pull over and rest.

Researchers emphasize that healthy sleep habits are the first line of defense, recommending regular sleep schedules, reduced screen time before bed and avoiding alcohol or caffeine late at night.

Despite the mounting data, GHSA notes that drowsy driving rarely receives the same public attention as drunk or drug-impaired driving, even though the risks may be comparable.

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